Trista Small (left) and Ann Owen take their turn during the torch relay through downtown Wanganui yesterday afternoon.PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO 211113WCSMOLYMPICS1
Trista Small (left) and Ann Owen take their turn during the torch relay through downtown Wanganui yesterday afternoon.PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO 211113WCSMOLYMPICS1
It may not have been the 2016 Rio Olympics torch, but the symbol had just as much meaning to the 12 Wanganui Special Olympians and members of the police who completed their relay through downtown Wanganui yesterday.
The Special Olympians are part of the 21-strong Wanganui squad who will beattending Special Olympics New Zealand's eighth National Summer Games in Dunedin next week.
Teaming up with the police, the group jogged behind their squad car escort from the Bell St station, down to the boardwalk, along Taupo Quay and then jogged up Victoria Ave on their way to a reception at the Wanganui District Council chambers.
In Dunedin, the team members will compete in swimming, bocce, indoor bowls and basketball.
They will be among more than 1100 athletes with intellectual disabilities who, along with their supporters, have embarked on fundraising and training programmes ahead of the national games, which are on November 27-30.
